Edwin "Ed" W. Matus

Edwin “Ed” W. Matus, 94, of Rockford, passed away on March 28, 2024, in Cape Coral, Florida. He was born on March 11, 1930, in Rockford, the son of William and Marcella (Janovic) Matus. He graduated from West High School, class of 1948. He served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves from 1949-1951. He married Ida Dallosto on December 16, 1950, in Rockford, and she predeceased him on December 29, 1999. Ed worked as a technician at Barber Colman from 1950-2000. He worked two jobs for 20 years to provide for his family and a Catholic education for his children. He enjoyed traveling, going to dinner, dancing, and watching Friday night shows with his wife, Ida. After Ida’s passing in 1999, he found enjoyment through dinners and pool time with his special friend, Bev Odling.

One who always enjoyed creating things with his hands, Ed was an avid builder of models for many years, including custom dollhouses for his great-grandchildren. He was a fixer of all things and taught his skills to everyone who would listen and watch. With the mind of an engineer and the hands of a machinist, Ed could fix anything. He loved being outdoors, going on many walks through the woods with his dog, Smoke, and later with his grandchildren, with the often occasional stop at a swing set or playground. He loved his wife Ida’s cooking, more sometimes than he needed to, but always enjoyed a walk after dinner before dessert. Ed loved spending time in his garage with his tools, or Charlie’s shop on Saturday mornings after he dropped Ida off for her weekly hair appointment. In his later years, Ed loved spending a great portion of the winter in Florida, a good old fashioned Western movie or eating his favorite dish, pasta aglio e olio, finished with a sweet treat and a cold drink.

He is survived by his children, Gary (Patti), Terry (Vickie), Michael (Jeanne), Tony (Colleen), and Bill (Denise); grandchildren, Jim (Sarah), Jeremy (April), Tom (Mary Ann), Elizabeth (Lawson Dees), Mandi (Zayth Montes), and Jenna (Eric Schachte); great grandchildren, Miabella Matus, Charlotte Matus, Olivia Matus, Mallory Schachte, Sam Schachte, Lola Dees, Gianna Montes, and Andrew Matus. He is predeceased by his wife, Ida; parents, William and Marcella Matus, stepbrothers Peter and Frank Stanaitis, and numerous brother and sister in laws, especially Josephine Bogdonas and Bunnie Dallosto.

A Mass of Chrisitan Burial will be on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road Rockford, IL 61107. A visitation will take place prior to the Mass starting at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.